Spring sash counterbalance

ABSTRACT

A COUNTERBALANCE FOR A WINDOW SASH BEING OF SELF-COILING SPRING TYPE AND ADAPTED FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPOSITION WHEREIN THE FREE END OF THE SPRING RIBBON MAY BE SECURED TO THE SASH AND THE COIL DISPOSED ADJACENT THE WINDOW CFRAME HEADER, OR WITH THE FREE END OF THE SPRING RIBBON SECURED TO THE HEADER AND THE COIL CARRIED UPON THE WINDOW SASH. A SPRING SUPPORT IS PROVIDED FOR EITHER CONDITION OF USE WITH THE SAME HAVING GUIDE MEANS FOR RETAINING THE COIL AGAINST DISPLACEMENT AND AN OPEN-   ING FOR THREADING OF THE EXTENDED PORTION OF THE RIBBON THERETHROUGH, THE COIL BEING WITHOUT A SUPPORTING SPOOL OR RELATED TO LOAD-RECEIVING SURFACES.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,820,193

Foster June 28, 1974 [54] SPRING COUNTERBALANCE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS lnvemori Edwin Foster, 1801 Camp Craft 741,755 1955 Great Britain 16/197 Rd., Austin, Tex. 78767 [22] Filed: Aug. 24, 1972 Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay

Assistant Examiner-Wflham E. Lyddane i 1 p N91 283,400 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ralph w. Kalish [52] US. Cl. 16/197 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl E05d 13/12 A counterbalance for a window sash being of self- Field of Search coiling spring type and adapted for alternative dispo- 73 B sition wherein the free end of the spring ribbon may be secured to the sash and the coil disposed adjacent [56] References Cited the window frame header; or with the free end of the UNITED STATES PATENTS spring ribbon secured to the header and the coil car- 1,029,003 6/1912 Foote 16 211 fled the Window Sash- A Spring Support is 1,573,676 2/1926 Carroll l6/2ll lided for either Condition of use with the Same having 1,699,267 1/1929 Appleby l6/21l x guid means for retaining the coil against displace- 2.684,499 7/1954 Lewis 16/197 ment and an opening for threading of the extended 2,817,872 12/1957 Foster l6/l97 portion of the ribbon therethrough; the coil being 2,89 l .809 6/l959 WCSI CI al. v 24/73 B without a upporting spool or related to load-receiving 3,150,420 9/1964 Brenner I6/l97 X surfaces 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmzs m4 sum 10? z FIG. 2

Liv/01' a Sam 2 0f 2 FIG.5

PATENTEBMZG m4 1 SPRING SASH COUNTERBALANCE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to window construction and, more particularly, to spring counterbalances therefor. I-Ieretofore, self-coiling springs have been utilized for counterbalancing window sashes, but all such prior efforts have required either a rotatably mounted spool, drum or the like for supporting the spring coil,

or have requiredespecially provided compartments or housings for the coils to snugly accept same. Thus, as shown in US. Pat; No. 3,45 2,278 in addition to a spool, a coil-conforming housing is used to assist in accepting the spring load. In US. Pat. Nos. 3,452,480 and 2,609,193 compatibly sized chambers or compartments are formed in the window jambs or window sash for accommodating the particular size spring involved.

'In all such instances, in addition to the added costs of providing such compartments, housings, and the like, installation and replacement caused timeconsuming difficulties.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spring sash counterbalance of the self-coiling type having means for disposition either upon the header of the window frame or upon the movable sash in fully accessible, open location and which does not require especially constructed window frames and/or sashes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spring sash counterbalance of the character stated incorporating a novel spring support for facile affixation to the window frame or window sash without requiring modification of the latter and, thus, rendering said counterbalance useful with existing window constructions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spring sash counterbalance of the character stated incorporating a spring support which may be most economically produced, being amenable to high volume, low cost production, as by metal stamping or plastic molding, and which is durable and reliable in us- It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a spring sash counterbalance of the character stated incorporating a spring support which is designed for interengaging the coil of the related spring by means of the inherent self-coiling bias of such spring so that spools, drums, or the like for supporting said spring are eliminated.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a spring sash counterbalance incorporating a spring support which is dimensioned for accommodating spring ribbons of varying thickness and length so that the same is extremely versatile in usage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spring sash counterbalance of the character DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window provided with a spring sash counterbalance constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spring support.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a window provided with another form of the spring sash counterbalance constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of the spring support.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRACTICAL EMBODIMENTS Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate practical embodiments of the present invention, A generally designates a window, which may be made of any suitably material, such as wood, aluminum, or the like, and which comprises a window frame having jambs 1, 1', a header 2, and a sill 3; there being carried in said frame a stationery upper sash 4 and a lower sash 5 adapted for vertical reciprocal slideable movement. For illustration only, window A is shown of customary character, but as will be evident hereinbelow the present invention is useful with other types of windows such as those adapted for swingable movement of the upper and/or lower sash for cleaning and like purposes.

Each side jamb 1,1 integrally incorporates a slideway, indicated generally 6, being of channel shape and having rearward and forward flanges 7,8, respectively, and an intervening web 9; said jamb channels thus opening inwardly toward the adjacent side of sash 5.

Lower window sash 5 comprises vertically presented, parallel side components 10, 10 and upper and lower transverse members 11, 12, respectively, which elements coact in the usual manner for supporting a glass pane 13. Each side component 10, 10' is of channel form in cross section in its outer lateral portions having front and back flanges 14, 15, respectively, and a web 16 therebetween, said channels opening outwardly toward the slideway 6 of the proximate jamb 1, 1', as the case may be, and with said flanges 14, 15 being receivable within the same for travel of sash 5 therein.

Secured, as by a screw 17, or the like, to the under, or downwardly directed, face 18 of header 2 at each end portion thereof, immediately inwardly of the adjacent jamb l, 1' and, hence, in the opposite upper corner portions of window A, is a spring support or mounting member 19 being integrally formed, as by stamping, and comprising a plate or web portion 20, in surface abutment against header underface 18; there being a tongue and a hook 21, 22, respectively, struck from opposite end portions of said plate 20 for extension upwardly through openings 23, 23', respectively, in underface l8 conducing to the stable maintenance of spring support 19 in secured position, being inhibitive of undersired relative movement thereof. It will be seen that plate 20 is engaged to header 2 by initial projection of hook 22 through opening 23' and with tongue 21 serving as a guide. Hook 22, accordingly, serves as a major point of securement for spring support 19. Spring support 19 also includes an outer or jambproximate portion 25 which is planarwise angulated with respect to plate portion 20, inclining downwardly turning of hook 22 and with the outer limit of such 7 opening 26 being established by the inner margin of a transverse bar 27, the outer margin of which constitutes the base of a relatively shallow, endwise opening recess 28; there being short parallel lateral extensions 29, 29' providing the sidelimits of said recess 28. The widths of opening 26 and recess 28 are preferably the same and are determined by the width of spring ribbon to be accommodated. The-widths of said opening 26 and recess 28 will correspond to the width of slideway 6 of the adjacent jamb 1, 1' through which the spring ribbon to be described will be lead. It is important that the said widths be but slightly greater than the width of the spring so that the latter is prevented from lateral shifting.

Threaded through opening 26 from its jamb-remote side is the outer or free end 30 of the coil 31 of a spring counterbalance 32 of the self-coiling type; which free end 30 is lead downwardly within the slideway 6 of the adjacent jamb 1, l and at its extremity is fixed, as by a screw 33, upon the upwardly directed surface of upper transverse member 11 of lower sash said point of securement being, preferably, located slightly laterally inwardly of the outer portion of sash 5, as in substantial vertical alignmentwith coil 31 of spring 32.

It will thus be seen that the coil 31 projects into recess 28 with extensions 29, 29' serving as guides for restraining coil 31 against any twisting or shifting and with spring 32 being thus effectively suspended from bar 27 by virtue of the extension of its unwound portion thereover. Bar 27 supports the entire load of spring 32, with its inner edge a providing the load bearing edge and with the same being relieved, or recessed, at each of its ends, as at 27', so that the resistance normally offered by the customary sharp edge portions of the spring ribbon is'markedly reduced. Edge a serves as well as a wiper for removing foreign matter thatmight tend to adhere to the contacting face of the spring ribbon thereby preventing accumulations of dirt, other foreign matter, and the like which would cause coil 31 to be undesirably diametrally enhanced so that said coil 31 is maintained in a substantially clean state, promoting tight winding thereof, assuring of maximum force and longevity of usage.

As indicated above, the widths of opening 26 and recess 28 'are determined for accepting self-coiling springs of corresponding width, however, the other dimension of said openings is adequate to allow accommodation of springs of varying ribbon thickness or of varying length; eliminating the necessity of changing support '19 for each particular thickness or length of spring ribbon. Counterbalance spring 32 may be of any suitable self-coiling type but may well, preferably, be of the character of the spring set forth in U.S.' Letters Pat. No. 2,609,191.

In view of the above, it is to be observed that spring 32 is biased into coil condition and provides a constant force counterbalance for window sash 5 at all locations of disposition between fully closed condition (as shown in FIG. 1) and open state wherein the same is at its upper limit. Spring support 19 presents a most novel means for it mounting spring 32 since by the mere threading of the extending portion thereof through opening 26, said spring 32 is fully suspended from bar 27, and is, as noted above, maintained by extensions 29, 29' against unauthorized relative movement so that there is no distortion in the exended, working portion of said spring 32.

If desired, athin shield or housing as indicated at 34 may be mounted upon header 2 for encasing spring 32. However, it is to be particularly pointed out that said housing 34 is of such relative size as to be beyond contact with spring 32 so that no portion of the spring load is carried by said housing 34, which is nothing. other than a dust shield. Said housing 34 may be readily fabricated of thin molded plastic and with its side walls being biased toward each other so as to permit of frictional gripping upon the side edges of support 19. Thus, a mere snapping action is all that is requiredfor placing same in covering relationship to the spring coil 31. There may be also provided, if desired, a slotted sleeve (not shown) as of nylon or like material, to be disposed surroundingly of bar 27 for friction-reduction, although the metallic character of bar 27 is substantially, equally effective. It should be especially observed that spring 32 is devoid of a supporting spool as mounted for rotation upon a shaft or pin as has been: the custom with self-coiling spring counterbalances heretofore, with it being further noted that said spring 32 does not require support from the bottom or adjacent wall of a housing, as in'the construction shown in US. Letters Pat. No. 2,452,478. The self-coiling tendency of spring 32 renders same stable in suspension from support 19 since the coiling bias of the extended portion directed through opening 26 will urge same toward coil 31 and thereby promote relatively tight engagement with bar 27 Therefore, the present invention obviates the heretofore requisite co-ordination between a self-coiling spring balance and its mounting and housing; and by its simplicity permits of a single entity for accommodating springs of varying thickness or length; which uniquely facilitates engagement with the supported spring as well as disengagement therefrom for inspection purposes. Installation is also markedly easy.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, another form of the spring sash balance of the present invention is disclosed and in said Figures like reference numerals will be utilized to indicate elements corresponding to elements shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Fixed upon the upper portion of each web 16 of lower sash 5 is a spring support 35 which is unitarily formed, as by stamping from metal, and which is of flat character having a plate portion 36 disposed flushwise against the related web 16 and rigidly secured thereto by a screw 37 extending through aligned openings 38, 39 in said plate portion 36 and the proximate web 16. Opening 39 is tapped. Support 35 extends upwardly beyond the upper surface of transverse component 11 of sash 5 in such extended portion is provided with a In usage, the free or extended end of the coil 31 of spring counterbalance 32 is directed through opening from its jamb-remote side and is thence lead upwardly within the proximate slide 26 for securement of its extreme end portion against underface 18, of header 2, as by means of a screw 44. Accordingly, coil 31 will be presented between extensions 43, 43' and with the unwound portion abutting against the upper margin as indicated at of opening 40 through the inherent selfcoiling bias of spring 32; which margin serves as the load bearing edge; the latter being relieved at each of its ends as at 45 for resistance reduction with respect to the spring ribbon edge portions. It is to be observed that by use of spring support 35, spring counterbalance 32 may be disposed upon sash 5 for movement therewith and with its free end being anchored against header 2 as contradistinguished from the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 wherein the free end of spring 32 is secured to sash 5 and with coil 31 being maintained adjacent header 2. With the spring disposition shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a like counterbalancing action is provided as with the relationship shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and described hereinabove. However, with spring 32 being mounted on sash 5, the ribbon is not caused to slide in relation to the window frame.

Also if desired a housing 46 may be mounted upon sash upper transverse member 11 for loosely enclosing spring 32 for dust protection.

From the foregoing it is evident that the spring supports 19, 35 of the present invention permit of facile mounting of a self-coiling counterbalance either within each upper corner of the window frame or upon the opposite ends of the upper transverse member of sash 5. Said supports are most economical in production; quickly and easily installed as by the tightening of a single screw and wherein the mere threading of the unwound length of spring ribbon through the related opening, 26 or 40, as the case may be, in all that is required for assuring stable disposition in operative position and wherein the recess extensions maintain the spring coil 31 against shifting or displacement.

Housing 46 may be of the same character as housing 34 snapping upon the side edges of support 35.

Although supports 19 and 35 may obviously be fabricated from materials other than metal, it has been found in practice that metal constitutes the most reliable material of construction having recognized longevity of usage without diminution in effective coordination with the related spring.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. For use with a window having a frame incorporating side jambs, a header, and a sill, and a sash mounted within said frame for reciprocal slideable movement with relation to said jambs, said sash incorporating an upper portion, a counterbalance for said sash comprising at least one self-coiling spring of ribbon character having a supply coil portion and an outer normally free end, means anchoring said spring free end whereby a length of said spring when extended from said coil will be substantially parallel to the proximate side jamb between the upper portion of said sash and said frame header, and a spring support member disposed within said frame, said support member having an inner end portion and an outer end portion, mounting means engaging the inner end portion of said support member, the outer end portion of said support member being free, said support member outer end portion having an aperture, and an endwise opening recess adjacent to said aperture, a bar extending transversely of said member and disposed between said aperture and recess the outer edge of said bar providing the base of said recess and the inner edge thereof constituting the outer limit of said aperture, said recess having opposed sides projecting from said bar, the normally free end of said spring being threaded through said aperture and bearing against the inner edge of said bar, said supply coil being received between the sides of said recess to retain said coil in guiding relationship thereto.

2. For use with a window having a frame incorporating side jambs, a header, and a sill, and a sash mounted within said frame for reciprocal slideable movement with relation to said jambs, said sash incorporating an upper portion, a counterbalance as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said spring support member in its inner end portion being engaged to the upper portion of said window frame, the normally free end of said spring being anchored to the upper portion of said sash.

3. For use with a window having a frame incorporating side jambs, a header, and a sill, and a sash mounted within said frame for reciprocal slideable movement with relation to said jambs, said sash incorporating an upper portion, a counterbalance as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said support member in its inner end portion being engaged to said sash, and the normally free end of said spring being anchored to the upper portion of said frame.

4. For use with a window, a counterbalance as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said recess having a width of substantially like extent as said aperture.

5. For use with a window, a counterbalance as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said spring support member having a uniplanar body fabricated from rigid material.

6. For use with a window, a counterbalance as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by the inner and outer portions of said spring support member being continuous, the planes of said inner and outer portions being at an angle of less than 

